One of the crucial public health problems worldwide is the urinary tract infections (UTIs) that are derived from uropathogenic bacteria (UPBs). Slime layer is known to have the ability to permit bacteria to achieve smooth surfaces attachment like catheters and prosthetic implants which in turn, facilitate biofilm formation and may cause lethal infections. On the other hand, Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production is considered a growing concern among UPBs due to the limiting of the treatment options and contributes to resistance toward antibiotics. The principal study's point is the finding out the slime layer and ESBL production in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae of uropathogenic origin. Ten ready isolates (five isolates for each bacterial type) are gained from Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Baghdad. Disk diffusion method is employed to detect their antibiotic susceptibility towards Ciprofloxacin (CRO 10μg), Ceftazidime (CAZ 30μg) , Imipenem (IPM 10μg), Meropenem (MEM 10μg), Amoxicillin/ clavulanate (AMC 20/10 μg) and Aztreonam (ATM 30μg). Congo Red method is used to detect the production of slime layer for both types of bacteria. Black colonies mean slime layer production and pink colored colonies are not productive. Results show that all the tested bacterial isolates had ability to form slime layer even in different degrees. By using disk replacement method, ESBL production is detected. Results showed that two isolates (40%) of both Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are ESBL producers, while (60%) of both types are unable to produce these enzymes.
